Group A Streptococcus

Bacteria called Group A Streptococcus causes scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious. Therefore, look out for symptoms in your child, which include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

Contact NHS 111 or your practice if you suspect your child has scarlet fever. Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Further information is available here.

Group A Streptococcus is a common bacteria. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, Group A Streptococcus does cause a number of infections, some mild and some more serious.

The most serious infections linked to Group A Streptococcus come from invasive Group A Streptococcus.

These infections are caused by the bacteria getting into parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as the lungs or bloodstream. In rare cases, an invasive Group A Streptococcus infection can be fatal.

Whilst invasive Group A Streptococcus infections are still uncommon, there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10. This is thought to be due to the lack of mixing over the past few years due to the pandemic when numbers have been very low.

Group A Streptococcus is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound.

Some people can have the bacteria present in their nose and throat without feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of infections and while they can pass it on, the risk of spread is much greater when a person is unwell.

The symptoms of Streptococcus A are as follows:

• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Chills.
• Muscle aches.
• Fever.
• Fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

For further advice on sore throats and when to get help, please click here.

While infections like these can be unpleasant, they rarely become serious. When treated with antibiotics, an unwell person with a mild illness like tonsilitis stops being contagious around 24 hours after starting their medication.

Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking-up or spreading infections.

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP practice if:

• your child is getting worse;
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal;
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration;
• your baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher;
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty;
• your child is very tired or irritable.

You should call 999 or visit an emergency department if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs;
• there are pauses when your child breathes;
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue;
• your child is floppy and will not wake-up or stay awake.